The Barry/AJ substitution

[john@staustell]

When we saw Barry warmimg up on TV my missus said who will he bring off. Both me and my eldest said he will bring off AJ - back to his anonymous worst - and move Yaya forward.

This should be obvious to all City-watchers, although I can understand why it mystified the less-familiar pundits and commentators like Neville.

Yet some people in the ground seemed to be grumbling and mystified. How simple are these people? "Duh, defensive midfielder for brilliant winger, duh, does not compute." Whle AJ of course, having played himself into the team with a couple of excellent performances, played himself out again!

For the rest of the half Barry was 2 classes above anyone else on the field, we were back to playing with (nearly) 11 men and it led to the equaliser.

Well done Mancini.

[Dubciteh]

I agree,however what I don't understand is the decision to go with the shape that hasn't worked the last two cl games in the first place, Barry ndj and yaya midfield should be our first choice for all big games. Also I just want to say(not for the first time) that Barry is our most underrated player,some on here will tel u he is shit but there deluded.

[john@staustell]

Barry only ever gets left out for rest and 'rotation'. AJ seemed to have played his way on at the weekend, and as there is no way he is going to start at OT, Bobby went with him. But with Nasri being pretty crap too, and Silva worse, we needed someone on the field to pass the ball!

If he could play GazBaz every match he would.

[ant london]

If we got a good offer at Xmas and had a higher quality replacement lined up I'd get rid of AJ at the drop of a hat.

Believes his own hype at the blink of an eye, drifts in and (more accurately) out of games with alarming frequency and just does not consistently offer enough.

Don't know who I'd replace him with but I honestly really do not rate him....he's not a kid and he's been here long enough to bed in and what he offers is not good enough

[ant london]

If we got a good offer at Xmas and had a higher quality replacement lined up I'd get rid of AJ at the drop of a hat.

Believes his own hype at the blink of an eye, drifts in and (more accurately) out of games with alarming frequency and just does not consistently offer enough.

Don't know who I'd replace him with but I honestly really do not rate him....he's not a kid and he's been here long enough to bed in and what he offers is not good enough

[King Kev]

I'm not Johnson's biggest fan but I thought he was doing alright last night.

Having said that, I could see why he was replaced as we only had Yaya doing anything through the middle so Silva was struggling to find any kind of pace. It seemed we needed more help through the middle.

As it turned out, I think most people will agree that the substitution worked although it was somewhat of a gamble.

[Terry Cookes nose]

Firstly, it's pretty odd to sub someone in the 38th minute. Why not wait until half time.

But then again I understand mancini. It sends a signal to the entire squad, if you guys play like shit (like they did yesterday) all of you risk the fine chance of getting subbed at any minute of the game.
It shows who's in charge and what the man in charge expects performance wise.

[Hazy2]

I have this to report on that from my relocated seat in, Entarance C,E BLOCK 202 I was subjected to the following, wait for it....

Get Silva he is fucking shite. and Oh for fucks sake AJ is pissing all over that fullback, Fucking Barry, he is so bad this is a Joke.

I had to laugh when the same knob left with 5mins to go with fucking crap City.

This Goaty bearded Ginger was on fire, he had me and many others howling at him. Row d about seat 54.

[dick dastardley]

I reckon nasri is the weak link. When silva and nasri play together we seem to lose a bit in midfield im not saying nasri is not going to fit in. I think he just needs to play when we rest silva (carling cup) to get game time

[Fidel Castro]

If we got a good offer at Xmas and had a higher quality replacement lined up I'd get rid of AJ at the drop of a hat.

Believes his own hype at the blink of an eye, drifts in and (more accurately) out of games with alarming frequency and just does not consistently offer enough.

Don't know who I'd replace him with but I honestly really do not rate him....he's not a kid and he's been here long enough to bed in and what he offers is not good enough

Junior Hoilett. That is all

[Cocacolajojo1]

The name of the topic sounds like an episode of the big bang theory

However it was a brilliant substitution in the end. I think Mancini's reaction to Johnson's displeasure (?), I.E. acknowledging him when he passed Mancini at the sideline even though he was acting like a child, shows that Bobby rates him and has far from given up on him. At least that's what you get if you read a lot into it. Which I did.

[Dronny]

If we got a good offer at Xmas and had a higher quality replacement lined up I'd get rid of AJ at the drop of a hat.

Believes his own hype at the blink of an eye, drifts in and (more accurately) out of games with alarming frequency and just does not consistently offer enough.

Don't know who I'd replace him with but I honestly really do not rate him....he's not a kid and he's been here long enough to bed in and what he offers is not good enough

Junior Hoilett. That is all

He's been really impressive when I've seen the Trogs play but my money is on Cerci (sp?)

[john@staustell]

Firstly, it's pretty odd to sub someone in the 38th minute. Why not wait until half time.

But then again I understand mancini. It sends a signal to the entire squad, if you guys play like shit (like they did yesterday) all of you risk the fine chance of getting subbed at any minute of the game.
It shows who's in charge and what the man in charge expects performance wise.

The answer lies in the equaliser. If he'd waited til half time we might never have scored.

[Ted Hughes]

My only qualm with it was that I'm pretty sure Nasri would have got the hook if he wasn't the big signing, otherwise excellent. Tactically Bob was sharp in this game. He was crap v Napoli.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Firstly, it's pretty odd to sub someone in the 38th minute. Why not wait until half time.

But then again I understand mancini. It sends a signal to the entire squad, if you guys play like shit (like they did yesterday) all of you risk the fine chance of getting subbed at any minute of the game.
It shows who's in charge and what the man in charge expects performance wise.

The answer lies in the equaliser. If he'd waited til half time we might never have scored.

Whether it had worked ( as I think it did) or not it was good to see a decisive move.

[Mike J]

2 goals in 3 games adam johnson is not good enough. hilarious. he's a top player!

gareth was absolutely superb when he came on last night. completely controlled the play.

[Moonchesteri]

AJ is a typical winger - has his good days and has bad days. Imho yesterday he wasn't especially bad, just didn't set the world alight.
Glad he's part of the squad.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Aj was fucking terrible again. Just ran down blind alleys time after time. But tbf ever since he signed for us he's played on the wrong wing.

[Hazy2]

If we got a good offer at Xmas and had a higher quality replacement lined up I'd get rid of AJ at the drop of a hat.

Believes his own hype at the blink of an eye, drifts in and (more accurately) out of games with alarming frequency and just does not consistently offer enough.

Don't know who I'd replace him with but I honestly really do not rate him....he's not a kid and he's been here long enough to bed in and what he offers is not good enough

You could be talking about Nasri here, who started well and faded , AJ is very raw granted, however his goal at Blackburn and the finish on Saturday show he has got it, just needs games to show he can do it more for Roberto. Dzeko looks the same short of games and out of sorts. Rotation is not for him.

[simon12]

If we got a good offer at Xmas and had a higher quality replacement lined up I'd get rid of AJ at the drop of a hat.

Believes his own hype at the blink of an eye, drifts in and (more accurately) out of games with alarming frequency and just does not consistently offer enough.

Don't know who I'd replace him with but I honestly really do not rate him....he's not a kid and he's been here long enough to bed in and what he offers is not good enough

Junior Hoilett. That is all

He will go for Di Maria at RM